Vermont Legislators Encouraging School Mergers

Vermont lawmakers are hoping a new approach will get more school districts to merge.

A plan approved two years ago had one regional school board take the place of local town boards. So far, that's happened just once and voters in some towns have expressed concern about a further loss of local control.

This year, the Legislature passed a bill that provides more flexibility by creating the opportunity for some towns in a supervisory union to create their own single district, even if others decide not to join.

Rutland Senator Kevin Mullin, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, tells Vermont Public Radio he doesn't support the elimination of local school boards, but he says that may not prevent some schools from closing in light of declining enrollment.